Many gardeners would prefer to provide their plants with adequate moisture and draining soil. Nevertheless, if drainage is essential to the project or if you want to explore something different, then getting plants without drainage holes is one way to go. Typically, indoor flowering plants do not require as much care as outdoor plants.
Plants can be grown in non-draining pots!
One of our top picks for plants that do not require drainage holes and are suitable for beginners, the Snake plant is one of the best indoor plants for beginners. The snake plant originally comes from West Africa and is popular for its blade-shaped leaves and upright growth. Although traditionally it is potted in soil, you can also grow it in water.
It’s as simple as picking out some plant cuttings and putting them in a tiny bowl of water. As you look at these cuttings in the coming days, you will see that they are in the process of becoming beautiful snake plants. The leaves will grow upright as the roots grow up if they are tightly tied at the base.
Planting in a Pot Without Drainage Holes
In general, I recommend planting in a container with drainage holes, but there are times when we want to use a pot without drainage holes – we’re concentrating on indoor containers rather than outdoor containers. A common feature of wall planters is their lack of drainage, in light of the fact that they do not have reservoirs of their own. Furthermore, some of us like to plant in baskets, pottery and unconventional pots and containers that may not be meant for plants.
Planting Without Drainage Holes in A Pot
Some pots come with drainage; other do not. It’s a small distinction, but makes a huge difference in the way your pot sits, as well as what kinds of plants you can grow in them and how frequently you have to water them.
Many gardeners ask us how to grow plants in pots without drainage holes. Some say not to do it at all, arguing that they are necessary for plant health. Is it okay to keep plants in pots without drainage holes? Our answer is yes, but with caution.
Watering a plant is essential for survival. But over-watering is the most common (and perhaps most effective) way to kill it. Drain holes allow water in pots to drain properly. This ensures that water doesn’t pool underneath the pot, protecting roots from rot and fungus. Here’s what to remember when watering plants in pots without drainage.
Rules For Planting: Pots Without Drainage Holes
It only takes a little bit of water to make a big difference.
Each and every drop of water you add to the pot will stay inside. When we normally recommend fully watering a plant, letting excess water seep out the bottom, we recommend watering sparingly and slowly, so that the water is evenly distributed throughout the soil, so that it does not pool at the bottom.
Make a drainage layer
Soil particles are too small and tightly packed together to allow water to quickly move through them, so a drainage layer must be created by adding a medium such as pebbles, stones or pumace to the bottom of the pot before adding soil. As a contrast, the bigger mediums used in drainage layers have a lot more room between them, allowing moisture to pass through.
A drainage layer allows excess water to be removed from the soil more quickly, preventing damage to roots. Even though the water is still in the pot, the drainage layer will provide a barrier between the excess water and the plant.
Activated charcoal should be used.
In our shop we sell a product called activated charcoal as a drainage layer, and will happily ship you some if you’re not local. Heat has increased the absorptive properties of activated charcoal, which makes it more absorbent. That means that removing a layer of activated charcoal from the bottom of your pot could allow you to reduce the amount of water it takes to grow, which could allow the plant to thrive in the event of over-watering.
Another issue resulting from over watering is fungal and bacterial disease. Activated charcoal has naturally occurring microbial properties, and can act as a deterrent for these dangerous bugs. An added bonus!
The Best Way to Water Succulents without Drainage
There are some awesome pots and planters for succulents that don’t have drainage holes. Find out how to water them properly.
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Watering succulents in pots without drainage can be tricky. But, it is usually even more difficult in pots with drainage holes.
Succulents need their roots to dry out rapidly.
It is not good for them to sit in water for more than two days, and they will rot if left in the water for too long.
Therefore when you are first learning to grow succulents, I highly recommend using pots with drainage holes.
Although, if you intend to grow succulents indoors, it is likely you will want a pot without a drainage hole so that the plants can remain on the counter and not worry about water coming out of the bottom of the pot.
Download my free cheat sheet to see how to water succulents that need more water or less, so you can master the art of watering succulents.
Think you over-watered? Tip it over.
The soil must be held back by your hand, and the plant container must be gently tipped to the side (or inverted, if possible) for the water to drain out. Any loose soil can be replaced later.
Don’t get rained on
The pot should have a drainage hole if it is to be used for an outdoor plant, unless it will be protected from rain. You must pay attention to how much water gets into the pot, otherwise it could be lost in a downpour.
Use the right size
Our recommendation is that plants should never be moved into a pot larger than an inch in diameter. Without drainage holes, the pot will remain wet longer due to the lack of root mass, which inadvertently leads to over-watering.
If all else fails, repot
A plant’s needs will vary depending on its environment, and you may want to pay attention to whether it is watered enough. Take a look at the roots if the plant isn’t doing well and remove it gently from the pot. Those who have black, mushy roots will usually have overwatered. The plant’s roots need removing, and the plant should be repotted in a container with drainage holes, kept just moist until it shows signs of recovery.
Pro-tip for you, make it a cachepot
Here’s a cheat to pot plants without drainage if you’re intimidated by the extra work. Make a slightly smaller plastic pot (with drainage holes) than your planter, and plant your plant into it. If done properly, the plastic pot should be hidden inside the planter, and your plant will look like it’s right inside the planter! After that, you can soak it in water in the plastic pot, and take advantage of the drainage holes.
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